Hummingbird Moths

Two of these strange moths visit my yard late every evening, sipping nectar from the white butterfly bush. I’ve also seen another one around my petunias and it has a yellow color. They look exactly like tiny, inch long hummingbirds. They are very hard to photograph, their wings are most always a blur since they flit about just like a hummingbird and are never still. They are capable of hovering in place and their wings make a slight humming noise. They’re fascinating to watch and I’m always happy to see them in the yard. I took these photos of the moths at my butterfly bush this evening. Click each photo for a larger version.

* * *

* * *

* * *

* * *

* * *

Also, see my more recent posts about these hummingbird moths, with larger, clearer photographs here:

Another hummingbird moth
Snowberry Clearwing hummingbird moth

Some hummingbird moth info:

• These moths are from the Sphingidae (hawk-moth) family of insects, and are known as hornworms while in the caterpillar stage.
• The caterpillars feed on viburnum and related plants.
• Most of these moths fly at night and are rarely seen, a few however are known as the hummingbird moths and feed at dusk and on cloudy days.
• Some of these moths have transparent areas in their wings.
• The moths drink nectar through a long feeding tube (proboscis) just like a hummingbird.
• They are also known as “sphinx moths”.
• They range in size from about three quarters of an inch up to two inches long.
• These moths are late risers, not flying until the sun warms their wing muscles.
• In southern climates, two broods of moths are produced each year. The second set of adult hummingbird moths emerge in late summer or early fall.

I enjoy watching these little moths, and hopefully I can capture some photos of the yellow one also.